New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More
What to watch this weekend.
Good grief, it’s already the last weekend of June. I still feel like I just got back from Scotland, but that was a whole month ago! This month my daughter turned 18 after graduating high school, I turned 44 and had another lovely Father’s Day. Spring turned to summer (on my solstice birthday, no less, sweet summer child that I am) and now it’s almost July. I guess time flies when you’re having fun.
Of course, many of you will be spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible given how lovely it is these days, but when you’re done from a hard day of hiking, pickleball, soccer, hunting, disc golf, regular golf or whatever other summery activities you’re up to, nothing beats some couch time with friends and family and a new show to stream. Well, maybe a nice shower and a piece of pie, but after the shower and the pie, kick back and relax. Hopefully this guide helps you find something good to watch.
As always, I’ve spent the week scouring the internet for all the best new movies and TV shows, some of which I’ve watched, others I have in my massive, endless backlog. I’ve gathered it all together in the following list, along with movies to go see in the theater, shows that are currently airing weekly and plenty more.
If you have any tips or I missed something, shoot me a message on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. You can check out last weekend’s streaming guide right here.
What’s New & Notable This Weekend
Squid Game — Season 3 (Netflix)
I really enjoyed the first season of Squid Game on Netflix right up until the end when the American characters were introduced and some of the plot points went seriously off the rails. I hated the twist at the end. And I was downright annoyed that they decided to make a second season. This is one of those shows that really works perfectly as a single season, even if some narrative threads were left dangling. My point is, I didn’t end up watching Season 2 because I couldn’t imagine it would live up to Season 1. So I’m way behind and probably won’t get to Season 3 anytime soon. Season 3 has 91% from critics but is hovering around 50% with audiences, which makes me think my hesitation is pretty justified. Obviously let me know your thoughts on Seasons 2 and 3!
The Bear — Season 4 (Hulu)
While I am quite sure why I never watched Season 2 of Squid Game, I’m harder pressed to explain why I didn’t keep up with Jeremy Allen White’s The Bear on Hulu. I really loved the first season, even though it was kind of stressful to watch. But then I heard mixed things about Season 2 and just . . . never got around to it I guess. I’m kind of amazed they’ve already released a fourth season. Good to know that some shows still release with relative frequency! Definitely give this a shot to get a super realistic—and at times funny/sad/intense—glimpse into the restaurant industry. It also feels a bit like a Shameless spinoff given that it takes place in Chicago and stars White. (P.S. White is also starring as Bruce Springsteen in the upcoming rockstar’s biopic, but man does it look terrible!)
Ironheart (Disney+)
I’m worried that I’m going to sound overly cynical in this weekend’s guide, but I have zero interest in Ironheart, the latest MCU series on Disney+. Nothing about the trailers or the premise or the reviews (which are pretty mixed-to-negative from critics and fans) appeals to me. The story follows teenage inventor Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) as she creates the most advanced suit of power armor since Ironman. A producer compared it to Breaking Bad, which is hilarious. I haven’t watched yet, but most comparisons to Breaking Bad are bogus.*
Revival (SyFy / Peacock)
We’re already six episodes into Revival, which airs first on SyFy and later on Peacock, but I somehow missed this one when it first came out and I’ve been told it’s pretty good. I’m going to get to it soon, I promise.** The show is about a rural Wisconsin community where the recently deceased suddenly return to life, but not as zombies or the undead, but seemingly as normal people going about their lives. Police officer Dana Cypress (Melanie Scrofano) finds herself in a very bizarre murder investigation: The victim is alive again, but the suspect could be alive or “dead”. Cool premise!
Countdown (Prime Video)
The Boys star Jensen Ackles stars in this race-against-the-clock thriller on Prime Video. Ackles plays LAPD detective Mark Meachum who joins a secret task force after the broad daylight murder of a DHS officer. The hunt for the killer reveals a more dastardly conspiracy with the fates of millions hanging in the balance. It’s too bad this exciting premise doesn’t seem to actually pay off. This one has a rotten 33% on RT from critics, with audiences a bit more upbeat at 69%. (Are critics review-bombing the show!? Just kidding). The main complaint I’ve seen is that Countdown is just too dull , which is probably the worst thing a race-against-the-clock thriller can be. Sigh.
Smoke (Apple TV+)
Dennis Lehane is one of the great modern mystery writers, penning books like Mystic River and Gone, Baby Gone, but he’s also worked on TV shows like The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, Mr. Mercedes and was the showrunner for Apple’s Black Bird. Now he’s back with Smoke starring Taron Egerton, who plays an arson investigator forced to team up with a police detective to solve the case of a serial arsonist in the Pacific Northwest. The show currently has a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I’m starting to think that Apple is actually in on the joke when it comes to Apple TV+ shows that start with the letter ‘S’ (see: Severance, Slow Horses, Sunny, Sugar, The Studio, etc. etc. etc.)
My Mom Jayne (HBO Max)
Fans of Law & Order: SVU will recognize actress Mariska Hargitay. HBO’s new documentary is about her famous mother, Jayne Mansfield, who died when Mariska was just a toddler. An intimate portrayal of a daughter and the mother she never had a chance to get to know.
The Shield (Hulu)
What I’ve been watching mostly is a show that kicked off way back in 2002. The Shield is available in its entirety on Hulu and man is it great! I’ve been watching a lot of older shows recently. I had never watched The Wire, for instance, so I devoured that. Then I watched all five seasons of Southland. The Shield is yet another older cop show that I missed back in the day, and I’m three seasons in at this point and loving every second. The series follows Vic Mackey (Michael Chicklis) and his Drug Force Strike Team, a group of hard-nosed “bent coppers” (to put it in Line Of Duty terms) who you can’t help but root for. This one not only has Walton Goggins in one of the lead roles, but a whole bevy of actors you’ll see in modern shows playing smaller roles. Melanie Lynskey showed up for a couple of episodes in a role that basically foreshadows her part in Yellowjackets. If you, like me, somehow missed this back in the day or are just looking to rewatch some of the oldies, give it a whirl. You won’t regret it.
*In this case, comparisons to Breaking Bad are apt enough. In many ways, this was a precursor to Walter White, similar to how The Sopranos paved the way for other antiheroes. As far as I’m concerned, Mackey is right there with White, Tony Soprano and other TV greats.
**This is the reason I say “I’m going to get to [Revival] soon. Every time I sit down to watch something I think, “Well I could, or I could watch a few more episodes of The Shield!”
F1 The Movie (In Theaters)
I’m not a racecar movie guy, though I did love Ford v. Ferrari. F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, Kate Condon, Javier Bardem and a bunch of other talented actors, is certainly doing well with critics and audiences (84% / 97% on RT). If fast cars and bad boys are your thing, head to the movies. The theater business will thank you.
The Last Rodeo (VOD)
Interestingly, The Last Rodeo is still in theaters even though it’s out now on VOD. It’s struck a nerve with audiences, even if critics have been less than kind. This is pretty typical of faith-based movies. This is a faith-based rodeo movie starring the always great Neal McDonough and his piercing blue eyes. I find every single bull-riding scene I’ve ever watched deeply stressful, but I am curious to see this one. Like racecar movies, faith-based movies aren’t really my thing either, but you never know.
What’s Streaming Weekly
Lots of shows are currently airing despite so many of the big ones ending. Some of these I’m watching. Some I’m saving so I can binge-watch. Some I’ve watched in their entirety.
Resident Alien — Season 4 (SyFy)
Alan Tudyk is so good in Resident Alien he basically makes up for any weaknesses this show has, though it doesn’t have many. The main flaw is its release schedule, airing on SyFy a week before it comes to Peacock. The first three seasons tell the story of Harry, an alien who assumes a human identity on Earth, first to destroy it and then, after he falls for the people he meets, to save it. He’s in trouble in Season 4, with an even worse alien assuming his identity (also played by Tudyk). I haven’t started this yet, but I’m going to soon. I just hate the release schedule!
Stick (Apple TV+)
A funny, charming, light-and-breezy golf story that I’ve only dipped into so far. The premiere was very good and Owen Wilson is great, but I’ve read a lot of reviews from fans and critics that make it sound like things take a turn for the worse as the season progresses, so I’m a little nervous.
Duster (HBO)
One of the few shows I’m willing to set The Shield aside for these days is HBO’s Duster, starring Lost alum Josh Holloway. For one thing, it’s set in the 1970s in Arizona, my home state. Muscle cars and bellbottoms win me over every time. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun crime drama with a lot of heart, even if it could be better given just a little more TLC with the script.
Murderbot (Apple TV+)
If you’re looking for a sci-fi series with quirky characters and a fun, if light, plot, check out Murderbot on Apple TV+. Alexander Skarsgard plays the titular robot, who is a little less murdery than the title implies. Read my review here.
The Gilded Age — Season 3 (HBO Max)
I’ve never watched The Gilded Age but I do love period dramas and this one is quite popular. If you’re interested in NYC during the late 1800s and want some good character drama, give it a shot.
The Buccaneers — Season 2 (Apple TV+)
The Buccaneers takes place in a similar time period, though across the pond in England, and is more geared at romance. Think Bridgerton and you get in the ballpark. This is definitely another entry geared more toward women than men, following the exploits of a group of young American women as they waltz their way through London’s high society.
Other current shows include the 1980s crime drama BMF on Starz which is in its fourth season; Season 2 of Peacock’s “how-done-it” mystery series Poker Face and more. Let me know what you’re watching!
What else did I miss? What should I put on this list or add to my backlog? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook.
Past June Streaming Guides From Yours Truly:
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